Iris Sanchez Wins Special Election to Become New Britain’s Newest State Legislator

Editor’s note: The cover photo is by Dr Frank Gerratana on Veterans Day.

City Council member, Ald Iris Noemi Sanchez (D-3) was overwhelmingly elected in the special election in the 25th State Assembly district, to become New Britain’s newest state legislator.

Sanchez appears to have won, unofficially, 354 to 180.

The special election was to fill the State Representative seat in the 25th District following the recent election of Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) to the city’s top office. City Constable Jamie Vaughan (R) was the Republican in the election.

Iris Sanchez is campaigned on a platform focused on housing, quality education, public safety, and infrastructure improvements to address street flooding. She said that the people of the district deserve a State Representative who knows the concerns of everyday people and a representative who fights for what families need.

State Representative-elect Sanchez had said that her campaign would, “connect with residents, listen to their concerns, and talk about what we can accomplish for our community. That’s what I’ve done on the City Council, and that’s what I will continue to do as the next state representative for the 25th District.”

Sanchez said, as the longest serving Council member she, “has championed initiatives to strengthen public safety, expand youth engagement, and build stronger relationships between residents and city officials.”

Mayor Sanchez had endorsed Iris Sanchez for the state legislative seat he held until recently, saying, “I have known Iris for a long time. She is a tireless worker and a strong advocate for her community. She listens, she collaborates, and she gets results. I’m looking forward to working with her, and the rest of our legislative delegation to deliver for our community.”

Iris Sanchez was born in Puerto Rico and, in 1994, after graduating from high school, moved to New Britain with her family. A medical office assistant and caregiver, she is a single mother of two adult children. She says that, in addition to her work as a dedicated Democrat and neighborhood advocate – working to address blight and expand Willow Street Park in the North-Oak neighborhood – Sanchez has volunteered with the VITA tax assistance program at HRA of New Britain.

Editor’s note: Reporting by John McNamara contributed to this article.